All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Hawaii

At the base, the wind was strong, and I was worried, but thanks to the provided winter gear at the summit, it wasn't cold even in winter. The guide took a photo of me jumping with the sunset in the background at the top, which became a wonderful keepsake. Thank you very much. I would like to recommend this to acquaintances as well.

麓では風が強く、心配していたのですが頂上では用意していただいた防寒具のおかげで冬でもさむくありませんでした。ガイドさんが撮影してくれた頂上で夕日をバックにジャンプして写真がとても良い記念になりました。ありがとうございました。知人にもオススメしたいとおもいます。

I finally went on the sunset and stargazing tour, which was my main purpose for coming to Hawaii! This is a tour that you absolutely must participate in when you come to the Big Island. The emotions you experience here are something you can't get in Japan!!

Our hotel was at Kanaloa, and since we were the southernmost guests, we were picked up first. The meeting time was at 1 PM. From there, we stopped at other hotels, and off we went to Mauna Kea! (On the way, we were also taken to a lava cave, which was interesting for an adventure lover like me. Although the pickup is early in the south, this kind of perk makes it worth it♪)

The journey to Mauna Kea is incredibly long, but you can enjoy the unique scenery of the Big Island along the way, and the guide's stories kept us entertained. This is definitely a perk of the tour.

We arrived at the Onizuka Center! Even though it's supposed to be a high-altitude area, it didn't feel that way. We received a bento box and warm miso soup (with chopped green onions!) and took a break. The bento was delicious, tailored for Japanese tastes. There was also warm tea, coffee, and cocoa—everything you could want.

After acclimatizing to the altitude, we continued our ascent up Mauna Kea. The weather was nice, and since it was warmer than usual, we were lent down pants and jackets, but it wasn't freezing at all; it was very comfortable.

Finally, we reached the summit! The scenery felt like another world—like Earth? Mars? I couldn't help but think that! I'm so glad I came. It was breathtaking. (I heard that scenes from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars were filmed here. I can see why.)

The Subaru that Japan is proud of!! And there was a radar-like device that I've only seen on screen! Just being in this scenery was moving (T T).

And finally, the sunset! The weather was good, and we could even see Maui in the distance. My excitement was through the roof, and I kept pressing the camera shutter. (But let's not forget, we're over 4,000 meters above sea level. If you get too excited and start running around, you can get altitude sickness. I almost did. But actually, that was fun☆ It's a rare experience after all.)

The sun sank into the sea of clouds, and tears streamed down my cheeks... The sun sets surprisingly quickly. I've heard that some people miss it while they're in the restroom.

As we soaked in the afterglow of the sunset, we descended a bit to the stargazing location (apparently, there's a good time to be at the summit). When we got out of the car, the starry sky spread out before us... I've never seen anything like this (○□○)! As the night deepened, the sky filled more and more with stars! And we could even see the red light of Kilauea in the distance! Plus, the guide's interesting explanations about the stars! It was the clearest and most engaging explanation I've ever received, even better than any planetarium. I never imagined I could get such clear explanations about constellations from real stars. I want to come back when my zodiac sign is visible♪

And so, we began our descent. The way back was pitch dark, and we couldn't see anything. It was a bit boring, but that can't be helped. Driving in such darkness while talking, I was really impressed by our guide. Their personality was also touching. They were great at storytelling, very kind, and shared a lot of information about the Big Island. I really felt that it was a good choice to go with this tour, as having a Japanese-speaking guide abroad allows you to learn information thoroughly.

Everyone should definitely participate in this when they go to the Big Island! I highly recommend it~ (´ω`)ノ

ハワイに来る一番の目的だったサンセット＆星空観測ツアーに遂に行ってきました！
ハワイ島に来たからには絶対に参加すべきと思えるツアーでした。日本では得られない感動がここにある！！

私達のホテルはカナロアで、お客さんの中で最南端だったため最初にピックアップ。時間は１３時の待ち合わせでした。そこから他のホテルへも寄りながら、さぁいざマウナケアへ！（ピックアップの途中にも溶岩窟？へ案内してもらいました。そこも冒険好きの私には面白かった。南だとピックアップが早いけど、こんな特典もあるならお得かな♪）
マウナケアへはとーーーーーーっても長い道のりですが、行く道中もハワイ島ならではの景色を堪能できるのとガイドさんのお話で退屈しませんでした。これもツアーならではの特典ですね。
オニヅカセンターへ到着！高山のはずが、そんな感じは受けず。お弁当と温かいお味噌汁（刻み生ネギつき！）をもらって各々一休憩。日本人に合わせたお弁当で美味しくいただけました。そして温かいお茶、コーヒー、ココアいたれりつくせりでした。
高所順応も済み、まだまだマウナケアを登ります。天気も良く、例年よりも温かいということで、ダウンパンツ、ジャケットを貸してもらいましたが、震えるような寒さはなく、とても快適。
さぁ頂上に着きました！ここは本当に地球？火星？と本当に思ってしまうような異世界の景色！来てよかった。感動。（２００１年宇宙の旅やスターウォーズのロケもしたらしい。納得。）
日本が誇るスバル！！そして画面でしかみたことないようなレーダーみたいのある！！この景色の中に自分がいると思うだけで感動（T　T）。
そしていよいよサンセットです！天気も良く、遠くにはマウイ島まで見えます。テンションは上がりっぱなし。カメラのシャッターも押しっぱなし。（しかし忘れてはいけません。ここは地上４０００ｍ超です。テンション上がってはしゃぎまくると酸欠になります。なりかけました。でも実はそれも楽しい☆なかなかできない体験ですからね。）
雲海が広がる中に除所に沈んでいく太陽。涙がほほを伝います。。。。。
沈み始めると案外早い太陽さん。トイレに行ってる間に見逃す人もいるらしいです。
サンセットの余韻に浸りながら星空観測の場所へ少し下山します（頂上にいて良い時間が決まっているそうです）。
車から降りると、そこに広がる星空。。。こんなの見たこと無い（○□○）！！夜が更けていくうちにどんどん空が星で埋まってく！しかもなんと遠くにキラウェアの赤い光まで見えるではないですか！そしてガイドさんの面白星空解説！いままでのどのプラネタリウムよりもわかりやすく、面白い解説でした。本物の星でこんなにわかりやすく星座の解説受けられるなんて思ってもみませんでした。次は自分の星座が見られる時期に来たいな♪

そんなこんなで下山です。帰りの道中は真っ暗で何も見えないですね。ちょっと退屈だけど、それは仕方ない。そんな中運転してお話して、ガイドさんすごいな～。ガイドさんの人柄も感動でした。お話も上手、とても優しく親切にしていただき、ハワイ島情報もたくさんいただきました。やはり海外に来てもツアーは日本語でガイドしてもらえると情報がしっかり学べるので、こちらのツアーにして良かったと思えるポイントです。

みなさんハワイ島に行ったからには絶対に参加すべきです！お勧めで～す(´ω`)ノ

I participated in this tour in mid-February. I don't think there's any need to hesitate. If you come to the Big Island, you must see the sunset or sunrise from Mauna Kea, as well as the breathtaking starry sky, which is said to be the closest to space.

The best part of this tour is the hospitality. Even if you're not used to traveling abroad, this tour covers various concerns you might have. Although it was only available on Sundays, the dinner bento was delicious, and the miso soup that the guide brought was excellent. Warm drinks were provided as needed, along with warm clothing.

And above all, our reliable guide! From trivia about the Big Island to its history, tips for managing your condition on the mountain, super-fast photo taking, and a workshop on photographing the starry sky with a DSLR, plus a constellation lesson on-site! The guide's driving was perfect; he truly was a Superman.

I was really glad to join Masashi's tour. I had a fun and wonderful time. One thing to be cautious about is that in winter, there may be snow near the summit, which could lead to restrictions on entry. This time, we were not affected due to the mild winter, but I think it's good to check.

Also, the warm clothing provided is really effective, so if you want to minimize your luggage, you might be able to manage with just a little effort.

I hope more people will have the best experience on this tour in the future! Thank you very much!

私は2月中旬に当ツアーに参加しました。
迷う必要はないと思います。ハワイ島に来たなら、マウナケアからのサンセット、もしくはサンライズ。そして宇宙に最も近いという満天の星空は、必ず見ておくべきと感じました。
このツアーの良いところは、おもてなしにあります。
海外に慣れてなくても、様々な不安をカバーしてくれるツアーになっています。
日曜日限定でしたが夕飯のお弁当も美味しく、ガイドさんが持参してくださったお味噌汁も最高。適宜準備される温かい飲み物に、防寒着。
そして何よりも、頼りになるガイドさん！ハワイ島の豆知識から歴史、山での体調管理方法に超高速写真撮影、そして一眼レフでの星空撮影講座に現地での星座講座！！！運転も完璧なその姿はまさにスーパーマン。
本当にマサシさんの当ツアーに参加して正解でした。楽しく最高の時間を過ごす事ができました。
注意しなければならないのは、冬季は山頂付近に雪が降るため、入山規制がかかる可能性があることです。今回は暖冬の影響でかかりませんでしたが、確認した方が良いと思います。
また、防寒着は本当に温かいものを準備してくださっているので、荷物を少なくしたい方は、気合いでなんとかなるところもあります。笑
それでは、今後もこのツアーで最高の体験をする方が増えることをお祈りしております！！
本当にありがとうございました！

The sea of clouds and sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea truly moved me with its natural beauty. The temperature drops to around 0 degrees, so I was well-prepared with a ski jacket, pants, knit hat, and gloves—this level of preparation is something only Japanese tours provide, right?! Stargazing was also enjoyable; lying on the cold ground and looking up at the star-filled sky was a great experience. Our guide, Matsuzaki, provided entertaining talks and shared his knowledge of constellations, and he also helped us adjust various camera settings for photographing the stars with our DSLRs. This trip to the Big Island was exactly what I aimed for, so I am very satisfied!!

マウナケア山頂からの雲海、サンセット自然の美しさにほんと感動しました。
気温０度くらいまで下がるのでスキージャケットにパンツ、ニット帽に手袋まで至れり尽くせりは日本人ツアーだけでは？！
星空観測も満点の星空を冷たい地面に寝転んで見上げるのも楽しかった。
ガイドの松崎さんの楽しいトーク、星座の知識ほはもちろん一眼レフで星を撮影するための様々なメーカーのカメラの調節までよくやってくれました。
今回のハワイ島はこれが目的だったので大満足です！！

Currently, the activity of Kilauea seems to be at a lull, and the orange crater is not easily visible. However, the pilot (an American on this day) skillfully maneuvered the helicopter with right and left turns, ensuring that both sides had a good view. In the attached photo, you can see the orange crater when enlarged.

In Waipi'o Valley, you can see multiple waterfalls with a significant drop against a backdrop of green forests, which were even more impressive than the crater.

今、キラウエアの活動は小康状態のようで、オレンジ色の火口はなかなか見ることができないのですが、パイロット（この日はアメリカ人）はヘリコプターを右旋回、左旋回と操り、左右いずれの席からもよく見えるよう、丁寧な操縦をしてくれました。添付した写真は拡大してみるとオレンジ色の火口が見えます。
ワイピオ渓谷では緑の森をバックにした落差が大きい、いくつもの滝を見ることができ、火口以上に圧巻でした。

I participated on the last day of my honeymoon. It was the perfect tour to wrap things up!

The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was the most beautiful and moving sunset I have ever seen. The clouds were only below, and the way the colors of the sky gradually changed was very impressive.

To avoid affecting the observatory at the summit, stargazing is done a little below the peak. The guide finds the best spot for viewing that day, even if it's not at the summit. When we first set out, there weren't many stars visible, and I wondered if we would really see that many. However, when we arrived at the observation point and got out of the car, we were greeted by an unexpectedly stunning starry sky! I was truly moved to see so many stars shining.

The guide was also very entertaining, making the tour a lot of fun. Additionally, they took many photos for us. They stopped the car at great photo spots, like when a rainbow appeared or when the clouds cleared for a better view, and took the best pictures! Furthermore, if you have a DSLR camera, they can help you with stargazing photography.

I wholeheartedly recommend this tour without any reservations!

ハネムーンの最終日に参加しました。
最後を締めくくるのに相応しい、最高のツアーでした！

マウナケア山頂でのサンセットは、今まで見てきたサンセットの中で一番美しく感動的でした。また雲が下の方にしかなく、一面に広がる空の色が徐々に変わっていく様子がとても印象的でした。

山頂の観測所に影響を出さないため、星空観察は山頂から少しくだったところで行います。
山頂ではなくともその日1番キレイに見える場所をガイドさんが探してくれます。
車を出すときはそこまで星がでておらず、本当にそんなにたくさん見えるのかな？と思っておりましたが、いざ観測ポイントに到着するし下車してみるとそこには想像にもしていなかったほどの満点の星空が！！！！
本当はこんなにたくさんの星が輝いているのかととても感動しました。

ガイドさんもとても面白い方で、とても楽しくツアーに参加することができました。
また、たくさん写真も撮ってくださります。
道中虹が出た時や、雲がなくなって景色が良くなった時、すばるの展望台など、写真スポットでクルマを停めて、最高の写真を撮ってくださいます！さらに、一眼レフを持っていれば星空の撮影も手伝っていただけます。

文句なしの本当にオススメのツアーです！

I participated because it was my dream to swim with dolphins, but it was a bit different than I expected. I think the female instructor explained the dolphins' ecology very thoroughly, but it was all in 100% English. I could hardly understand... It's embarrassing not to be able to speak English these days, and I feel self-loathing about it now. However, it was a good memory when the dolphin spun around with my signal and the kiss with the dolphin.

イルカと泳ぐのが夢で参加したのですがちょっと違ったようです。インストラクターの女性はイルカの生態などを丁寧に説明してくださったと思うのですが、とにかく１００％いんぐりっしゅ。殆ど理解できず…今どき英語ができないのは恥ずかしいことで、今更ながら自己嫌悪。でも、イルカが自分のサインでクルクル回ってくれたり、イルカとのkissは良い思い出になりました。

I participated in this tour as a memory of my honeymoon. The bento and miso soup served during the journey were delicious, and the driver was kind and entertaining, which made me very excited about the tour. Since I usually don't go up to 4200 meters, I was a bit worried about altitude sickness, but I was able to challenge the summit after taking a sufficient break at the Onizuka Center.

Additionally, while this tour provides jackets for rent, I recommend that those who are sensitive to the cold bring extra layers. I had heard that the weather near the summit of Mauna Kea is stable and the air is clear, making for beautiful starry skies, but experiencing the crisp air and the stunning sunset view in person was overwhelming. It truly became a lifelong memory to visit such a place where you can physically feel nature.

I would like to express my gratitude to the tour staff for allowing me to spend such a wonderful time. Thank you very much.

新婚旅行の思い出として今回のツアーに参加させていただきました。
道中で配られたお弁当とお味噌汁もおいしく、ドライバーさんは親切で面白い方でしたので、とても楽しく、ツアーへの期待が高まりました。普段は4200mの高さまで行かないので　高山病にならないかが少し不安でしたが、オニズカセンターで充分休憩が取れたので、山頂に挑むことができました。
また、こちらのツアーでは上着を貸して頂けますが、寒がりの人はそれだけではなく追加で持参することをお勧めします。
マウナケア山山頂付近は天候が安定し、空気が澄んでいるため星空が綺麗だと伺っておりましたが、いざ実際に行ってみて、普段の生活の中では味わえないその澄んだ空気、素晴らしいサンセットの景色に圧倒されました。文字通り、自然を体で感じることのできる、そんな場所に行けたことは一生の思い出となりました。
このような素敵な時間を過ごせたことに、ツアーのスタッフの方々に改めて感謝いたします。ありがとうございました。

The tour planning was excellent, but the dinner and the starry sky were the best, and I was truly moved. Thanks to Sue, I had a wonderful time. I will come again.

ツアーの企画も大変良かったんですが、夕食の食事と満天の星空最高で、感激しました。スーさんのお陰様で楽しく過ごせました。また来ます。

I participated in the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour on February 29. I was picked up at 2:45 PM from the Marriott Waikoloa Resort where I was staying, and we departed with guests from nearby hotels. The guide provided explanations about the scenery and the history of the Big Island during the drive, making for a fun and friendly atmosphere in the vehicle. We made a stop to take photos near the layers of solidified lava, and then headed to the Onizuka Visitor Center. At the Onizuka Visitor Center, we enjoyed a bento, miso soup, and warm tea. I had started to get tired of American food, so the white rice and miso soup were greatly appreciated. After a little over an hour of rest, we headed to the summit. The temperature at the summit was about 8 degrees, which seemed unusually warm for winter, but it was still very cold for a long stay, so I recommend dressing warmly to enjoy the outdoors for a longer time. The sea of clouds spreading below the summit and the sunset sinking into the clouds were truly breathtaking. After the sun set, we moved to the stargazing point. Under a sky full of stars, the guide provided a detailed explanation of the stars, making it an enjoyable experience.

Since this was a completely personal trip, I visited Kilauea and Hilo by rental car, but I truly felt that participating in this tour was a great decision. To save energy during the trip and enjoy safely under a knowledgeable guide, I recommend joining this tour while arranging the rest of your activities independently.

Guide ★★★★★
I was entertained with their extensive knowledge.
Photos ★★★★★
The guide helped with the settings.
They took many photos along the way.
Bento ★★★
Good portion size, but the taste was more American-style.

2月29日のマウナケア夕日・星空ツアーに参加しました。14時45分に宿泊していたマリオットワイコロアリゾートに迎えに来て頂き、近隣ホテルの方と共に出発。ガイドさんが道中も景色の説明やハワイ島の歴史等をして下さり楽しく和気藹々とした車内でした。途中停車し、溶岩が流れ固まった地層付近で写真撮影をした後オニヅカビジターセンターへ。オニヅカビジターセンターでは、お弁当、おみそしる、暖かいお茶をいただきました。日々アメリカンフードで飽き始めていたため、白いご飯とおみそしるがありがたかったです。一時間少々休憩ののち、いざ山頂へ。この日は山頂の気温は8度程度と冬にしては異常な暖かさだったようですが、それでも長時間いるにはとても寒かったので、より長く外で楽しむためにも厚着をオススメします。山頂眼下に広がる雲海、雲海の中に沈んでゆく夕日、はとにかく圧巻でした。日が沈み星空観察ポイントへ。満点の星空のもと、ガイドさんが丁寧に星空解説をして楽しませて下さりました。
今回完全に個人旅行だったため、キラウェア、ヒロ等はレンタカーで行きましたが、このツアーは参加して本当に良かったと思いました。旅の疲れをセーブし、しっかりとしたガイドさんのもと安全にたのしむためにも、他は個人手配でもこちらのみツアー参加をオススメします。

ガイドさん★★★★★
豊富な知識で楽しませて頂きました。
写真★★★★★
ガイドさんが設定の手伝いをして下さります。
道中写真を沢山撮って下さります
お弁当★★★
ボリューム◎味はアメリカ寄りの味でした。

I participated in a sunset and stargazing tour with my parents. Initially, I was considering a plan that included both the volcano and the stars, but I really didn't want to miss the sunset from the summit, so I chose this plan. (We drove to the red crater of Kilauea with a rental car.)

It turned out to be a great decision!

There were about two breaks on the way to the summit at approximately 4,200 meters, which was reassuring. We stopped at a photo spot, and both the guide's camera and our camera captured some great shots. Since it was my first time climbing a mountain over 4,000 meters, my parents, who are in their 60s, and I were a bit worried, but it was absolutely fine. It was indeed very cold at the summit, so the warm clothing, hats, and gloves that were provided were greatly appreciated. (Also, the cocoa we had at the rest stop was delicious...) The view from the summit was truly moving. Being above the clouds, I had never seen such a landscape before. The sunset was breathtaking! I kept taking photos over and over again (laughs). It was a moment when I thought, "I'm so glad I came to the Big Island." I highly recommend that everyone see it at least once.

At night, we moved to the stargazing point. The stars here were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I was amazed at how many stars were visible in the night sky! It was so moving! The guide's fun explanations and entertaining talk made the experience even more enjoyable. Additionally, I was surprised by the night sky photos. The pictures taken by the guide captured both the night sky and us beautifully; it was my first time seeing such photos. I also brought a mirrorless camera and learned techniques for photographing the night sky, allowing us to capture that beautiful sky with our own camera. (It also came in handy the next day at the red crater of the volcano! Yay☆) Thank you so much.

With the guide's humor and attentive care, both my parents and I were truly satisfied with this tour. I believe it was a wonderful experience to feel the essence of the Big Island.

両親と共にサンセットと星空観測ツアーに参加しました。
当初は火山と星空セットのプランにしようと思ったのですが、山頂でのサンセットはどうしても外したくなくて、こちらのプランにしました。（キラウエアの赤い火口はレンタカーで行きました。）

結果大正解でした！

約4200mの山頂までには休憩が２回ほどあり安心です。途中、写真スポットで停車していただき、ガイドさんのカメラと私たちのカメラの両方で撮影していただきました。
4000m級の山への登頂は初めてだったので、6０過ぎの両親も私も少し心配しておりましたが、全然大丈夫でした。さすがに山頂はとてーも寒いので、貸していただける防寒着・帽子・手袋は大変ありがたかったです。（あと、途中の休憩所で飲んだココアが美味しかった…）
山頂での景色は本当に感動しました。山の上は雲よりも高く、あんな景色はいままでに見たことがありません。さらにサンセットが感動ものでした！何度も何度もシャッターをきってました(笑)ハワイ島に来て良かったな～と思った瞬間でした。ぜひ一度、見に行かれることをおすすめします。

夜になって星空観測ポイントまで移動。ここでの星空も今までに見たことがないくらい星を見ることができました。こんなに星が夜空には出ているのかー！とびっくりしました。感激です！ガイドさんの楽しい説明と関西仕込みのトークでとても盛り上がりました。さらに、夜空の写真も驚きました。ガイドさんに撮っていただいた写真は、夜空も私たちもすごくキレイに映っていて、初めての写真でした。また、一眼レフ（ミラーレス）を持参したのですが、夜空が撮影するテクを教えていただき、自分たちのカメラにもあの夜空を収めることができました。（翌日のボルケーノの赤い火口でも役に立ちましたよ～！わーい☆）本当にありがとうございました。

ガイドさんお面白さと、細やかなケアも含め、このツアーは参加し、両親共々本当に満足しています。ハワイ島を感じられるとてもいいツアーであったと思います。

We did this cruise last week and our boat took us all down the coast past the Cook Monument where we were able to take photos. An interesting commentary accompanied the trip and a pod of dolphins played around us. Magical! And the sunset was spectacular.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this excursion 5 stars was that the buffet ran out of food before we were all served. It didn't bother us too much and the crew was very apologetic and gave us extra drink tickets but I think some people were quite upset.
Overall we loved it .

My husband and I recently took a Kailani Tours Hawaii trip to Kilauea Volcano. It was a very pleasant experience and probably one of the best tours we’ve ever done.

After driving about 90 minutes, we stopped to have a very nice box lunch at a rest stop near the military base. The lunches were prepared by a nice restaurant in Kona. Place mats were even provided to put on the picnic tables!

This was a tour in itself, as we were able to sample many different treats. We were even able to watch the employees preparing the cookies through a large glass wall. Everything we tasted was delicious except for the chocolate dipped squid that we thought was coconut!! I think one needs to develop a taste for the combination of chocolate and squid.

As we got closer to the volcano, the weather got progressively worse. Chris, our driver, was very adept at adjusting our schedule so that we took best advantage of the time we had. We stopped at the Rainbow falls lookout and took a short walk along the falls til we got to the huge banyan tree.

We went to the Kilauea Lodge for dinner. This looked to me to be a five star hotel and restaurant just outside the park. We were allowed to choose between a New York steak, fresh catch of the day, or a vegetarian dish.

After dinner we went back to the volcano to see it after dark. Thankfully, Kailani Tours provided very comfortable and warm Lands End parkas. Even though we were told to bring jackets, the ones we took were not warm enough as the winds were blustery, making the 45 degree weather seem much colder. We went to the lip of the Calderra where the view of the glowing lava was awe-inspiring.

As a final treat, we were given a short stargazing opportunity when we were about halfway home. The entire experience lasted from approximately 10:00 am to midnight. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything on the island, the volcano, and constellations and was very good at passing that knowledge along to us.

Best flavored food of any luau I have attended. But the entertainment was just great. The host had the crowd singing and dancing along - it was fun. The dancers were exceptional. I would absolutely attend another luau hosted by the Waikoloa Hilton.

I think it depends on the seating arrangement. As soon as you arrive, you are guided to your seat, but whether you sit next to someone or in front of someone is important.

Since it can be noisy around you and you might end up sharing a table with other guests, I recommend sitting next to someone.

席次第だったと思います。
ついてすぐ席に誘導されるのですが、
隣にしてもらうのか前にしてもらうのか重要です。

周りは騒がしく、ほかのお客さんと相席のような形になるので隣にすることをおすすめします。

Was not really a night for a Sunset, but we learned a lot of history / culture of Hawaii / Big Island, had good food, relaxing music, whales, dolphins, and yummy drinks. No complaints about this cruise! Thanks for the great time!

Climbing Mount Fuji on your own feet is... but this tour allows you to ascend quickly in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The scenery is like another world. The stargazing lecture while watching the stars is also an experience you can't easily have.

富士山を自分の足で登るのは、、、でも、このツアーは4輪駆動車で一気に登れます。
景色も、別世界。星を眺めての星講座も、なかなか体験できないもの。

I participated in an optional tour for my honeymoon. The guide and most of the participants were foreigners, and all explanations were in English. There was a Japanese version of the initial instructions. I think it's a good idea to use the restroom before boarding the boat (there is one on the boat, but I was worried about the lock). I wore my swimsuit under my clothes from the start. It might be better not to bring too many valuables... I might have had some, but I couldn't find them. You can leave your belongings on the boat!

From the meeting point to the boat, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the Captain Cook Monument. On the boat, they serve fruits, hamburgers, snacks, and drinks, all you can eat and drink at your leisure! I guess breakfast and lunch are combined? You will get full. When we arrive at the snorkeling spot, there is a brief explanation, and then everyone can freely dive into the sea (directly from the boat). You can borrow a full set of snorkeling gear and a float, and there was also something like a bodyboard for kids to see underwater. It's quite deep, so of course, your feet won't touch the bottom, but it's just beautiful! There are lots of corals and fish, and it was very moving. If it gets cold, you can return to the boat to drink warm coffee, sunbathe on the boat, take a little break, and then dive again... You can stay at the spot for about an hour and a half, so you can take your time ( ˘ω˘ ). The boat has a diving board and a slide, so I never got bored. I didn't get bored just diving either, haha.

The guides were all very friendly, and I was able to talk a lot even with my broken English!

It's an experience that you can only understand by going and experiencing it. If you're going to snorkel in Hawaii, I definitely think this tour is the best! I would absolutely want to participate again (^^).

新婚旅行のオプショナルツアーで参加しました。
ガイドさん、参加者、ほぼ外国の方で説明はすべて英語です。最初にもらった注意書きは日本語版がありました。トイレを済ませて船に乗るといいと思います。(船の中にもあるけど、鍵が不安)
水着は最初から洋服の下に着て行きました。
貴重品はあまり持たない方がいいかも…あったのかもしれませんが、探せませんでした。船の上では荷物置きっぱなしです！

集合場所から船に乗り、キャプテンクック記念碑まで30分程度です。
船の中でフルーツ、ハンバーガー、お菓子、飲み物が出て、全て好きな時間に食べ飲み放題！朝食と昼食が一緒なのかな？お腹いっぱいになります。
シュノーケルスポットに着くと、少し説明があってそれぞれ自由に海に潜れます。(船から直接)
シュノーケル道具一式と浮輪も借りれるし、子供には海の中が見えるようになってるボディボードみたいな物もありました。
かなり深いのでもちろん足は届きませんが、とにかく綺麗です！サンゴも魚もたくさんいてとても感動しました。
寒くなったら船に戻って暖かいコーヒーを飲んだり、船の上で日向ぼっこしたり少し休憩してまた潜ったり…スポットに滞在するのは1時間半くらいなのでかなりゆっくりできます( ˘ω˘ )
船には飛込み台と滑り台があるので全然飽きませんでした。私は潜ってるだけでも飽きませんでしたが笑
ガイドの方達はとても気さくな方達ばかりで、片言英語でもたくさん話す事が出来ました！

行って体験しないと分からない感動です。
ハワイでシュノーケルするなら絶対このツアーがいいと思います！また絶対参加したいツアーです(^^)

I participated in the long-awaited sunset tour to celebrate my birthday on my honeymoon. The view was absolutely stunning!

First of all, the guide was incredibly kind. During the pick-up, they eased my nerves with small talk, and even though I was a bit anxious about my first trip to Hawaii, I felt the warmth of Japanese hospitality and was able to enjoy myself with peace of mind.

There were also five other people in our group, along with another couple, and thanks to the cheerful group, the ride was lively! At the summit, we took pictures together and exchanged travel tips, and it was great to be with such wonderful people.

We experienced some mild altitude sickness symptoms like headaches and tingling, but the breathtaking view at the summit overwhelmed us and made us forget all about it! The vast sea of clouds, the red volcanic land, and the bright red sunset were all sights that I believe cannot be experienced in Japan.

During the stargazing, I saw shooting stars three times! The guide's explanations with the laser pointer were easy to understand, and the stars that can’t be seen in Japan, along with the craters of the moon viewed through the telescope, were truly beautiful.

They even took photos for us for free, and I think it's a great deal that this is included in the tour price! Since it was my birthday, having everyone sing Happy Birthday under the starry sky is a memory I will cherish for a lifetime! Thank you so much!

新婚旅行で、自分の誕生日記念に念願のサンセットツアーに参加しました。もう、最高の景色でした！
まずガイドの方がとっても優しかったです。迎えの時も世間話で和ませてくださり、初めてのハワイにドキドキしていましたが日本のホスピタリティーを感じ安心して楽しめました(^-^)
他に5人のグループの方とカップルさんが一緒で、陽気なグループの方々のお陰で賑やかな車中となりました！山頂では一緒に写真を撮ったり旅の情報交換をしたりととてもいい方々と一緒で良かったです。
私達は頭痛やしびれなど軽い高山病のような症状がありましたが、山頂の壮大な景色に圧倒されそんなのを吹き飛ばすほどの絶景に感動しました！！広がる雲海、赤い火山大地、真っ赤な夕焼け。どれも日本では味わうことの出来ない景色だと思います。
星空観察では流れ星を3回見れました！レーザーポインターでのガイドさんの説明も分かりやすく、日本では見ることの出来ない星や、望遠鏡で見た月のクレーターは本当に美しかったです。
無料で写真も撮って下さり、これがツアー代金に含まれているなんてとってもお得だと思います！
誕生日ということもあり、星空の下、皆さんからハッピーバースデーを歌ってもらったことは一生の思い出です！ありがとうございました！

Very professional and safety conscious organization. The kayaking was fantastic! They spent time with the beginners to help them feel comfortable and let those with some experience go at their pace also. Ben and Noni were our guides and they were very knowledgeable, took us to a beautiful snorkeling place, dove down a grabbed things off the bottom for us to see and led us to a great sea cave. Do this one day while you are in Hawaii!!!

I had a great time with Matt's guidance. The explanation of the starry sky was very detailed and easy to understand, and I appreciated all the thoughtful considerations, which made it very enjoyable. He was also skilled with the camera, so I think it will be a nice keepsake. I recommend it to Japanese travelers.

まっちゃんのガイドでとても楽しく過ごせました。
星空の説明はとても詳しくて、よく分かりましたし、いろいろと気遣いしてもらいとても楽しめました。カメラの使い方も上手で良い記念になると思います。
日本人にはお勧めします。

Drive from Hilton Waikoloa to the location.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the route using Google Maps or similar services.
There is a shopping center at a midpoint where you can take a restroom break.
If you don’t get lost, you can arrive in about an hour.

It's okay if you can't speak English.
The only time you’ll need to communicate is when learning how to ride the horse, so gestures and simple phrases should be sufficient. (If you have some English skills, you might be spoken to during the ride or in the vehicle...)

The horses move slowly in a single file along well-maintained mountain paths.
They do not enter grassy areas or dense forests, so your clothes won’t get too dirty.
The order of the horses is determined by their rank within the group you ride with, so companions will likely be scattered.

As a note for riding, be careful when the horse drinks water or eats grass, as the reins may suddenly pull downwards.
Other than that, the horses are well-trained, and even elementary school students (3rd and 4th grade) managed just fine.

It seems that the kids enjoyed horseback riding more than shopping in Honolulu!

ヒルトンワイコロアからレンタカーで現地へ。
地図はグーグルマップなどでよく予習して行きましょう。
中間地点位にトイレ休憩出来るショッピングセンターがあります。
迷わなければ1時間位で到着できます。

英語は、出来なくても大丈夫。
会話が必要なのは、馬の乗り方を教わる時だけなので、ジェスチャーと片言で理解は出来るかと思います。(ある程度英語が出来ると、移動車内や乗馬時に話しかけられますが・・)

馬は、整備された山道をゆっくりと1列になって進みます。
草むらや密林には入らないので、心配するほど衣服も汚れません。
馬の順番は、乗った馬の群れの中での順位で決まるので、同行者はほぼバラバラになります。

乗馬時の注意事項としては、馬が水を飲んだり草を食べたりする時、手綱が急に下向きに引っ張られるので気をつけて下さい。
それ以外はよく訓練されているので、小学生(4年・3年)でも余裕でした。

やはり子供は、ホノルルで買い物よりも乗馬が楽しかったようです!。

The captain worked hard to search for whales, but we could only see them from a distance and had a hard time spotting them up close.

When we were turning the boat back, we saw a pod of whales breaching, and the other passengers told the captain, but it seemed like we were out of time, which was very disappointing.

船長さんが頑張ってクジラを探し回ってくれましたが、遠くからしか見れず近距離ではなかなかみることができませんでした。

船を引き返すときにクジラの群れが飛び上がる様子が見えたのでほかの乗客たちが船長に伝えたのですが、もう時間切れみたいでとても残念でした。

I participated in this during my honeymoon.
About five years ago, I fell in love with stargazing after seeing countless starry skies in Japan. I learned that the summit of Mauna Kea is known as "the closest place to space," and I had always wanted to go to the Big Island for my honeymoon.

During the drive to the Onizuka Visitor Center, the guide's stories were so interesting that I didn't sleep at all and kept laughing the whole time. I also learned a lot about the history of the Big Island and the animals that inhabit the mountain. Before I knew it, we arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center and had an early dinner. The bento came with miso soup, and it was very delicious. I could feel the love in the guide's homemade miso soup.

After a break, we finally headed to the summit of Mauna Kea. From the car on the way up, I could already see the sea of clouds, and my excitement was building. I love starry skies, but I also love sunsets just as much, so it was thrilling for me to see the sea of clouds for the first time.

Upon arriving at the summit, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of the sea of clouds. The sun was setting, and the colors of the clouds were gradually changing; it was truly beautiful. The guide took many photos with our camera, so we ended up with lots of wonderful shots. Thank you!

After the sun set, we moved to the stargazing area. Unfortunately, the day of our visit was the day after the full moon, so the countless stars I had imagined were not as visible, and the sky wasn't as clear as I had hoped. I knew the moon would have an effect, but since this is the closest place to space, I had gotten my hopes up a bit too much. However, thanks to the moon, I was able to see a beautiful moon through the guide's telescope, and I was very happy to have captured it with my camera.
I was very satisfied to see the wonderful sea of clouds, sunset, moon, and starry sky. I would love to participate in a sunset or sunrise tour again someday to see the new moon's starry sky! Thank you!!!!!!!!

新婚旅行で参加しました。
５年程前に日本で無数の星空を見てから、天体観測にはまりました。
マウナケア山頂が「宇宙に最も近い場所」だと知り、新婚旅行でハワイ島へ行きたいとずっと思っていました。

オニヅカビジターセンターまでの行きの車内では、ガイドさんの話が面白くて、一睡もする事なく、ずっと笑っていました。
また、ハワイ島の歴史や山に生息する動物の説明など色々と勉強になりました。
気づいたら、オニヅカビジターセンターに着き、早めの夕食。お弁当はお味噌汁も付いていて、とても美味しかったです。
ガイドさんの手作りお味噌汁の愛情を感じました。

休憩後、いよいよマウナケア山頂へ。山頂へ行く車内から既に雲海が見え、テンションが上がっていました。
星空も好きですが、同じくらい夕日も好きなので、実際に雲海を見た事がなかった私にとって、とても興奮しました。

山頂到着後、見渡す限りの雲海。夕日が沈んでおり、雲海の色が徐々に変化していき、本当に綺麗でした。
ガイドさんが私達持参のカメラで何枚も写真を取ってくれたので、素敵なショットがいっぱい取れてました。ありがとうございます！

夕日も沈み、星空観賞エリアへ移動。ちょうど参加日が満月の次の日だったので、イメージしていた無数の星が散りばめられ、澄んだ星空ではなかったのが少し残念でした。月の影響があるのはわかってて参加したのですが、宇宙に最も近い場所なので、もう少し見えるかなぁと期待を膨らませ過ぎてしまいました。
ただ、月のお陰でガイドさんの天体望遠鏡から、とても綺麗な月を見る事ができ、月をレンズ越しに持参のカメラで撮って頂けた事がとても嬉しかったです。
素敵な雲海と夕日・月と星空を見れて、とても満足でした。
いつか新月の星空を見に、サンセットかサンライズツアーにまた参加したいです！
ありがとうございました！！！！！

A dolphin was right in front of me...
So I had to avoid touching it.
(I was told in advance not to touch them since they are wild.)
When our guide, Daisuke, waved his hand, the dolphin responded by moving its fins slightly and sang with a cute voice.
I definitely want to participate again and absolutely recommend it.

目の前にイルカが…
なので触らずにいるために避けなくてはいけませんでした。
（事前に野生なので触らないようにいわれていましたので）
ガイドのDAISUKEさんが手をふられたら応えて、小さくひれを動かし
可愛らしい声で歌ってくれました。
また是非参加したいし、絶対おすすめします。

I have been to Oahu several times, but this was my first visit to the Big Island. Since I wanted to see a show while I was there, I researched online and in books, and it seemed that this luau show was the best option, so I signed up.

I read that if you want a seat closer to the front, it's better to line up early, so I arrived an hour in advance. By that time, there were already about five groups in line. However, it was worth arriving early as I was able to sit in a front row seat!

And finally, about the show…! The entrance scene was grand, coming from the sea! The music was played live throughout, which made it very enjoyable. The hula dance, which I was most looking forward to, was beautiful, but I felt there were too few dancers, as there were several gaps between the songs where no hula was performed, which was disappointing. I understand that it takes time for costume changes and preparations, but I wish there had been more dancers. However, the dance was lovely, and I would have been very satisfied if I could have seen more performances.

I didn't have high expectations for the food, but it was more plentiful and delicious than I anticipated.

Overall, I would have been very satisfied if I could have seen more hula! But aside from that, the show by the seaside at sunset became a wonderful memory. Thank you!

オアフ島は何度か行ったことがありますが、ハワイ島は初めて行きました。せっかく行くならショーを見たいと思いネットや本で調べたところ、こちらのルアウショーが1番良さそうだったので申し込みました。

書き込みに、前の方の席が希望なら早めに並んだ方がいいとあったので1時間前から並びました。その時間ですでに5組ほど並んでる方がいました。が早めに行った甲斐あり前の方の席に座ることが出来ました！
そしていよいよショーはというと…！
登場シーンが海からというスケールが大きかったです！音楽はずっと生演奏で流れていたのでとても楽しめました。そして1番楽しみにしてたフラは躍りはとっても素敵だったのですが、ダンサーの人数が少なかったのか続けてずっとフラが見れるわけではなく曲と曲の間の空き時間が何回もあり、それが残念でした！着替え等の準備で時間がかかるのは仕方ないと思うのでもう少しダンサーの人数がいればなと思いました。でも躍りはとても素敵だったのでもっと曲数見れたら大満足だったなと思います。
お料理はあまり期待してなかったのですが、予想より品数も多く美味しかったです。

総合的にはフラがもっと見れたら大満足でした！でもそれを省けば、海辺で夕暮れ時からのショーはとてもいい想い出になりました。ありがとうございました！

One of the reasons I decided to go to the Big Island was my desire to see the starry sky at Mauna Kea, so I was really looking forward to it. After participating, it was just as wonderful as I had hoped.

After being picked up at the hotel, we headed to the Onizuka Visitor Center in a 12-passenger van. It was enjoyable to hear our guide, Mr. Yamamoto, talk about the plants and animals that inhabit the Big Island, and we even encountered wild sheep and cows.

Upon arriving at the Onizuka Visitor Center, we took a break with a bento box and miso soup. Although it was an early dinner before sunset, the bento was luxurious, like a catered meal, and I was very satisfied.

Since the van was full, it felt cramped after putting on the borrowed warm clothing. However, once we reached the summit, the temperature was lower than I had imagined, and the warm clothing was much appreciated.

The observatory and the sea of clouds illuminated by the sunset at the summit were breathtaking! The sunset disappearing into the sea of clouds was nothing short of magical. After it got dark, I was able to gaze up at the starry sky, and it was incredibly moving. I was blessed with good weather and timing, and the starry sky without the moon was overwhelming. In the distance, I could faintly see the red glow of the Kilauea crater… I was able to feel the grandeur of nature.

It became a truly wonderful memory. Thank you very much!

ハワイ島に行くことにしたきっかけの一つが「マウナケアで星空が見たい！」という思いだったため、とても楽しみにしていました。実際に参加してみて、期待通り素晴らしかったです。

ホテルでピックアップしてもらった後、１２人乗りのバンでオニヅカビジターセンターに向かいました。ガイドの山本さんのハワイ島に生息する植物や動物のお話を聞きながら、実際に野生の羊や牛などに遭遇でき楽しかったです。

オニヅカビジターセンターに到着後、お弁当とお味噌汁で休憩。サンセット前ということでかなり早めの夕食でしたが、仕出し弁当のような豪華なお弁当で大満足でした。

バンは満席だったため、借りた防寒着を着て着ぶくれた後の車中は狭く感じました。ただ、山頂に上がってみると想像以上に気温は低く、防寒着はありがたかったです。

山頂で夕日に照らされる天文台や雲海は圧巻！
雲海に消えていく夕日は幻想的の一言に尽きます。
暗くなってからは、満天の星空を見上げることができて、とても感動しました。好天やタイミングに恵まれ、月がない星空の星明りに感無量。
遠くには、キラウェアの火口の赤い光もうっすら…！自然の壮大さを感じることができました。

大変いい思い出になりました。ありがとうございました！

Since it was my first time on the Big Island of Hawaii, I definitely wanted to see the sunset and the starry sky, so I found this tour and signed up immediately. During the drive, the guide shared various stories about the Big Island, and we arrived in no time. At the Onizuka Visitor Center, we enjoyed a bento box and miso soup. It was a bit disappointing that the miso soup was cold, but I was still happy to have it♪

As we headed to the summit, they provided us with warm clothing, including hats and gloves, so we could enjoy the sunset and the starry sky without feeling cold. The moment I got out of the car and saw so many stars that I had never seen before, I was truly moved! We took some photos, but the starry sky was so breathtaking that it couldn't be captured in pictures. I tried to imprint the view in my memory for as long as time allowed. I was so touched that I could have watched it forever!

On the Big Island, we visited various spots like Kilauea Volcano and Hapuna Beach, but the sunset and starry sky at Mauna Kea were the most impressive and became my favorite memory. So, if you go to the Big Island, I highly recommend participating in this tour! It's truly amazing☆

初めてのハワイ島だったので、絶対にサンセットと星空は見たいと思っていたところ、このツアーを見つけて即申込みました。
行きの車の中ではガイドさんがハワイ島の色々な話をしてくれてあっという間に到着しました。オニヅカビジターセンターではお弁当とみそ汁をいただきました。みそ汁が冷めていたのが少し残念でしたが、みそ汁は嬉しかったです♪
山頂に向かい、防寒具も帽子や手袋まで貸していただけたので寒さを感じずにサンセットから星空を観賞できました。車から降りて今まで見たことのないたくさんの星を見た瞬間、本当に感動しました！写真も撮っていただきましたが、写真では伝わらないほどの星空で時間が許す限り星空を目に焼きつけました。時間があればずっと見ていたいくらい本当に感動しました！
ハワイ島ではキラウェア火山やハプナビーチと色々なスポットに行きましたが、マウナケアのサンセットと星空が何よりも感動し、一番の思い出になりました。なので、ハワイ島に行ったらぜひ参加してみてください！本当にオススメです☆

I met Kevin for the first time in six years, and once again, I was able to enjoy kayaking comfortably. I was able to enter "Dragon's Throat," which I couldn't do before due to high waves, and the tour photos are a wonderful keepsake. I'm looking forward to participating again.

ケビンさんとは6年ぶりにお会いしましたが、今回も気持ちよくカヤックを楽しむことができました。以前は波が高くてはいれなかった「竜ののど」にもはいれましたし、ツアーの写真はとてもよい記念です。また参加できることを楽しみにしています。

The day I participated was the day before the new moon, so there was no moonlight, allowing us to see a truly spectacular starry sky. It was great to see the long-lived stars that you can't see in Japan. The explanation of the constellations was fun and entertaining, as they used a laser pointer to illustrate them. I would like to join the sunrise tour next time.

参加した日は新月の前日ということで月あかりもなくまさに降るような星空を見ることが出きました。日本では見ることのできない長寿の星も見れたのは良かったです。
星座の説明もレーザーポインターを使いながら面白おかしく説明してくれるので楽しかったです。次回は朝日のツアーに参加したいです。